If you are planning to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, you must pay the Saudi Arabia visa fee in order to proceed with your visa application and be granted permission to enter this country in West Asia. However, this step is not as straightforward as you might think. Let us provide you with a couple of details and tips that can help you a lot to overcome this step.
The administrative cost for processing the visa application to Saudi Arabia is known as a Saudi Arabia visa fee. Except for this type of fee, you may be required to pay additional expenses, such as the document submission charge. Nevertheless, you will not receive a refund whether your application is approved or not.
Saudi Arabia provides a variety of types of visas to the Kingdom with the aim of catering to the diverse purposes of foreign citizens. If you intend to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, you can select one of the following types of visas:
Types of visas |
Description |
---|---|
Tourist visa |
With the Saudi Arabia tourist visa, travelers are able to go to Saudi Arabia for tourism purposes, consisting of sightseeing, seeing historical landmarks, engaging with the local way of life, etc. Moreover, citizens of certain nations can apply for a Saudi Arabian tourist E-Visa or a visa on arrival. However, those who are ineligible for an E-Visa or a visa on arrival must apply at a Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate. |
Business visa |
A business visa is required for people who wish to travel to Saudi Arabia for business-related activities, including conferences, meetings, or contract negotiations. For this type of visa, you can register online to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In case you are not a citizen of the nation that is eligible for a Saudi Arabia E-Visa, you must get a regular business visa at the nearest Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate. Here are some supporting documents that you need to provide for the Embassy or Consulate:
|
Work visa |
If someone wants to work in Saudi Arabia, they must have a work visa. This type of visa is typically sponsored by a business or employer in this nation. Besides, visa holders must adhere to certain rules on work permits. |
Student visa |
Individuals who have been admitted to a reputable Saudi Arabian educational institution are eligible to apply for a student visa. |
Premium residency visa |
Individuals who want to live in Saudi Arabia on the basis of investment are granted a premium residency visa. In fact, they can gain various advantages from this type of visa. This visa is divided into two types: a permanent one and an annual renewable one. |
Family visit visa |
The family visit visa is used for foreign nationals who want to visit family members in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. You can utilize an E-Visa to visit Saudi Arabia as long as you are from one of the approved nations. If not, you need to visit a Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate to apply for a family visit visa to Saudi Arabia. |
Personal visit visa |
Individuals who don't have any family or business ties to Saudi Arabia can apply for a personal visit visa. This type of visa is regarded as one of the electronic visa services offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. |
Hajj and Umrah visas |
To complete the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage rituals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Muslims from all over the world can enter this country by applying for Hajj and Umrah visas. |
Residence visa |
People who intend to stay in Saudi Arabia for an extended period of time should apply for a residence visa. Typically, a Saudi Arabia business, a Saudi Arabia individual, or a family member sponsors this type of visa. |
Saudi Arabia provides a variety of types of visas
In fact, based on the countries that passport holders belong to, they can enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a visa or even an E-Visa. However, there are 4 countries whose nationals can travel visa-free.
Here is a list of some countries requiring a valid visa for entry and some countries whose passport holders can travel visa-free:
Visa requirements |
Countries |
---|---|
Without a valid Saudi Arabia visa |
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Note:
|
With a valid Saudi Arabia E-Visa |
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, China (consisting of Hong Kong and Macau), Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Russia, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, the holders of Schengen visas, US visas, or UK visas, etc. |
With a valid Saudi Arabia visa on arrival |
Holders of the US, UK, or Schengen business or tourist visas. |
With a valid Saudi Arabia visa |
The remaining countries must apply for a valid Saudi Arabia visa to enter this nation. |
If you want to know how to apply for a Saudi Arabia visa at an Embassy or Consulate, you can check out the following steps to make the process of a visa application clear:
In this step, you must provide accurate information on the visa application form, making sure that you fill in all necessary details. Your personal information, the reason for the trip, your anticipated length of stay, and other pertinent data should be included.
After completing the application form, you will have to submit the visa application form and the required supporting documents, as instructed by the Embassy or Consulate staff.
Here are some required documents that you need to prepare in advance:
Passport: Your passport must have 2 blank pages for official use and have validity for at least 6 months ahead of the date of the trip.
Personal photo: Your recent digital photo with a white background is displayed in JPEG format. You need to ensure that your eyes are free of spectacles, and your face is visible. Additionally, the dimensions of your photo need to be 2 inches by 2 inches.
Proof of financial condition: This document is needed to prove that you have enough money to live in Saudi Arabia during your stay.
Proof of accommodation in Saudi Arabia: Having this document when you apply for a visa will increase the possibility of your visa approval.
A return or onward ticket: You need to provide it to show your intention to leave Saudi Arabia as soon as your stay is over.
Note:
Depending on the nations and the particular Embassies or Consulates, the submission procedure may change. You can be required to submit your application at the Embassies or Consulates in person or electronically via a designated portal.
Based on the types of visas, like a student visa, a business visa, or a work visa, you need to provide other extra documents requested by the Saudi Arabian Embassies or Consulates, including a letter from your employer, the company’s registration, a letter from your education institution, etc.
The Saudi Arabian Embassies or Consulates will provide instructions on how to pay the Saudi Arabia visa fee. This payment can be made online or in person at the Consulates or Embassies.
Based on the rules of the Consulates or Embassies, cash, credit cards, or debit cards may be accepted as methods of payment.
After submitting your completed application and paying your visa fee, you must wait for a couple of working days; however, this could take longer based on the visa type and the rules of the Embassy or Consulate that you apply to.
To know the exact processing time, it is recommended that you visit the official website or get in touch with the Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate to which you intend to apply.
Besides, to make sure that all the information is accurate and corresponds with the passport details, you should check the visa details after getting your visa.
Depending on the types of visas, there will be different fees. Therefore, you need to check out carefully to make sure that you have enough money to pay for your visa application.
Here are some details for the visa fee that you can consider:
Types of visas |
Description |
---|---|
Regular visa |
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E-Visa |
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Visa on arrival |
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Note:
The tourist visa with multiple entries is valid for a year from the date of issue. It allows a 90-day maximum stay.
The single-entry tourist visa permits you to live in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for up to 30 days (1 month), with a validity of 90 days (3 months).
You need to notice that the visa fee is not refundable, even if your application is approved or denied.
The cost and preferred payment method for an application are determined by the Embassy or Consulate of the nation from which the application is being made. Therefore, the fees above may change; they are not completely exact.
There are diverse types of fees for a Saudi Arabia visa
Depending on the types of visas that you choose and your particular situation, the length of time to process a Saudi Arabia visa application can vary. It might take, on average, 2 to 7 working days.
You can utilize any online tracking tools provided by the Saudi Arabian Embassies or Consulates, or you can get in touch with them to check out the status of your visa application.
However, in case you encounter any potential delays or additional requirements, it is advised that you register your Saudi Arabia visa at least a few weeks before the date you plan to visit this nation.
Paying the Saudi Arabia visa fee on time will bring considerable benefits to you, including:
Extra time to savor the pleasures of travel: Paying your charge on schedule will help you steer clear of unforeseen circumstances. As a result, you will have more time to search for more details about Saudi Arabia, such as its transportation, festivals, cuisine, etc.
Stress-free arrangement: By paying for your visa application in advance, you will have no worries about the visa application or other unexpected complications. Waiting for the result is the only thing you can do. Additionally, you will have more time to do other things.
Sanctions-free: By paying the visa fee on time, you can avoid possible fines and other expenses related to late payments. This will keep your application process from getting complicated.
Efficient process: When you pay the charge on schedule, the application processing can take place more smoothly than expected. Your application will be quickly added to the waiting list. This will increase the likelihood that it can be finished soon.
Of all the steps of the visa application, making a payment for the Saudi Arabia visa fee is of the utmost significance. When you complete this step, you will be eligible to receive a valid visa.
Completing this step soon will be a way to get your visa in advance of the date you travel to the Kingdom if it is approved. If the fee is collected on time, your application will be quickly added to the queue. As a result, processing times may be accelerated.
Besides, if you pay the visa fee correctly according to the instructions without any unexpected situations, it is also a way to show your seriousness and carefulness towards Saudi Arabian Embassies or Consulates. This may become one of the key reasons for receiving the approval of Embassies or Consulates.
To pay your visa fee on time, you can implement the following tips:
Keep deadlines in mind: The dates for submitting your visa application should be noted down. It should be confirmed that you have timely made the necessary payment.
Get in touch with the Embassies or Consulates if you need assistance: If you need help, you could contact the Saudi Arabian Embassies or Consulates to request further information or assistance with your payment problems. The staff will explain the problems that make you confused or unable to solve.
Preserve your receipts: In the event that you need your receipts later or have any questions, you should carefully preserve your payment receipts.
Paying the visa fee on time will help you receive your valid Saudi Arabia visa soon
Except for the visa fee, there are plenty of other things that you need to learn about:
A Saudi Arabian sponsor is necessary for some types of visas, such as a work visa and a family visit visa. Typically, the sponsor is a family member or an employer who lives in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, a sponsor is not required for a tourist visa.
You can apply for a Saudi Arabia visa by going to the Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate that is closest to you in your nation. The staff will give you all the information and direction you need to complete your Saudi Arabia visa application process.
Furthermore, certain types of visas might enable the submission of applications online via specific visa application platforms. When visiting Embassies or Consulates, it is crucial for you to make an appointment if required and make sure that you prepare all the necessary paperwork and visa fees.
If you are a Vietnamese citizen or a foreigner (including a Saudi Arabian citizen) living in Vietnam and have the intention of traveling to Saudi Arabia, you can submit your application at the Saudi Arabia Embassy in Hanoi (Vietnam). This is the only diplomatic mission of Saudi Arabia located in Vietnam.
If you want to know some details about this Saudi Arabian diplomatic mission, you can find out here:
Details |
Description |
---|---|
Name of the Saudi Arabian diplomatic mission |
Saudi Arabia Embassy in Hanoi |
Country |
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam |
Address |
20th Floor, Lotte Center Hanoi, 54 Lieu Giai Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam |
Planning your travel itinerary beforehand is one of the essential prerequisites for having a wonderful trip to Saudi Arabia. Here are some must-visit destinations and festivals in Saudi Arabia that you can take note of:
Categories |
Name of the destinations |
---|---|
Destinations |
|
Festivals |
Jenadriyah, Winter at Tantora Festival, Al Qassim Date Festival, King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, Riyadh Season, etc. |
If you are a Muslim, it is certain that you need to learn about Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia.
In Saudi Arabia, religious pilgrimages can be considered the main source of tourism. Every year, millions of pilgrims travel to Mecca and Medina to perform the Hajj in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah and the Umrah in the month of Ramadan. Additionally, Mecca and Medina welcome about four million for Umrah during the remainder of the year. However, Mecca and Medina are limited to Muslims only.
Muslims travel to Mecca to conduct the Hajj
In conclusion, it is recommended that you pay your Saudi Arabia visa fee as soon as possible. Indeed, making a payment for your visa fee is one of the mandatory steps in the visa application process. Therefore, in order to learn more about the fee of the visa, it is imperative that you visit either the official website of the Saudi Arabian Government or the Saudi Arabian diplomatic mission situated in your own nation.
We really hope that your trip to Saudi Arabia will be amazing and free of any unexpected circumstances! Please contact us at [email protected], especially if you require our assistance.